As a disclaimer, I just want to say, I'm not asking this because I want a "bigger better part with more lines" or anything like that, but my main theater is trying to get the rights to Mary Poppins and I am NOT a singer OR a dancer, but that director loves me as a funny character actor and I would LOVE to be in Poppins! The director said he wants me to play any one of the following small, character roles that don't sing: Park Keeper, Policeman, John Northbrook, or Von Hussler. I actually really like the role of the Park Keeper from what I've heard about him, and Von Hussler sounds fun because he seems like "The bad guy/shady business man."

My second theater is doing a different show at the same time and THAT director wants me for a principle non-singing role. I probably can't do both. I want to be in Poppins SO BAD, but I love the role the other theater wants me for.

Can anyone give me info on The Park Keeper, Policeman, Von Hussler or Northbrook? Like how many lines/scenes? which ones are bigger/smaller roles? The only reason I ask is because maybe I can do both if the Poppins part is small enough. Also, I'd have to pay two expensive production fees, so I want to see if it would be worth it to both.

Von Hussler is just in one scene, but he does get to sing. John Northbrook is in the same scene (plus one more) and also sings. The Park Keeper is a very fun little character part, and has a decent amount of lines/stage time (I don't believe there's any singing for this part). The Policeman also has a decent amount of stage time and a few lines, but does not sing.

I had seen this show on Broadway, and I just saw it done at my local theatre a few days ago (I am playing Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly! at another local theatre at the moment, so I wasn't in the show). It's a lot of fun and I think it would be worth it to be in both of the shows you are interested in.

Dream roles: Christine (The Phantom of the Opera), Eponine (Les Miserables), any Disney leading lady

Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:43 pm

ASTSBK2014

Fresh Face

Joined: Wed Feb 12, 2014 10:35 pmPosts: 14

Re: Smaller male roles in Mary Poppins.

THANKS! That is exactly what I wanted to hear! My director kept hinting to me about the Park Keeper and the Policeman, so if they are fun roles that's cool. I never wanted some "huge" role, but if I am going to be in 2 shows and pay the production fees for both, they may as well be worth it. So if we get the rights I'll go for the P-Keeper and the Policeman. Oh, and I played Rudolph in Hello Dolly! lol

No problem! Those parts are actually all small/separate enough that doubling is possible for a few of them. In our local theatre's production, they had the same actor double as John Northbrook and the Park Keeper. So that just shows you how manageable these roles are. The Park Keeper role probably got the most laughs.

Rudolph is a fun role, and Hello, Dolly! is a great show. I'm loving being in it.

Dream roles: Christine (The Phantom of the Opera), Eponine (Les Miserables), any Disney leading lady

Tue Jul 14, 2015 6:47 pm

ASTSBK2014

Fresh Face

Joined: Wed Feb 12, 2014 10:35 pmPosts: 14

Re: Smaller male roles in Mary Poppins.

Our theater group is huge so the director rarely has to double-cast roles. I REALLY want the Park Keeper! It will be a fun, stress free role. I can probably have fun making the Police Officer fun too. I think those are the two parts I'm up for. I know I'll get one, but I just remember the Park keeper looking like fun depite being a small role.

Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:22 pm

theatreguy77

Fresh Face

Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2016 11:32 amPosts: 1

Re: Smaller male roles in Mary Poppins.

I was in Mary Poppins last may and I played the Park Keeper! It was a small role, but it got the most laughs. The policeman shows up at the beginning of the show, and again later. Northbrook and Von Hussler are in the bank scene (Precision and Order). Admiral Boom, is a slightly larger role and often comes on stage with Mrs.Lark!

Mary Poppins is a fantastic show for people who want a part, but not a lead!